Travel Update: Switzerland

Quick: Time warp back to Europe. Now where were we....

After our NYE in Amsterdam, we trekked down to South France. (Read about it here and here). After a lovely few days on the beach, it was time to round out our Euro vacation in Switzerland—Bryan’s favorite place on Earth.

Unfortunately, I awoke on the day we were leaving feeling horrible. My throat felt like I was swallowing glass, and I couldn’t breathe through my nose, which made the whole throat situation a million times worse. On the agenda for the day? A 6-hour train ride to Bern, Switzerland. Yippee.

Part of the view on our train ride.

We were excited about Bern, because although we were staying for just one night, we had plans to lay low, grab some dinner and hit up the casino. My illness had other ideas. After an out of body experience and allergic reaction to Ricola, we arrived in Bern and I spent the evening in the hotel sauna and sleeping. I woke up in a pure sweat the next morning – my fever broke! And I was feeling better. Not great, but better.

Off we went again, this time to Interlaken, where were going to spend the last leg of our trip. Interlaken, in case you’re unfamiliar, is a town in the Swiss Alps. It gets its name because it’s located between two lakes. It’s gorgeous.

Views of coming into Interlaken. This is one of said lakes.

I'll start by saying, Bryan and I don't ski. Somewhat of an OxyMoron for a couple of Americans vacationing in Switzerland, but we get as much pleasure out of taking cable cars up and down the mountains as others so risking their necks and lives skiing down.

Up, up, up in the cable car! Plus Interlaken proper on the right.

For our first day trip, we tackled Schilthorn mountain. If that sounds familiar, that's because it was featured in the 1960s James Bond movies. In any case, we took the oldest, creakiest cable car up a very steep mountain until we got to a mountain village called Mürren. Mürren is a traffic-free town for the most part, with most people pulling sleds or walking in snow shoes. Bryan and I were severely underdressed. In any case, we spent the day walking around the village, watching the crazy people paragliding and skiing, and drinking beers cuddled outside under blankets and breathing fresh air. Seriously. Everything in Switzerland, from the water to the air, was the freshest, cleanest ever.

Back down the mountain we went, where we indulged in a traditional Swiss meal of fondue and beer. We capped the evening walking around town, and we found the cutest local bar. Packed with people drinking, laughing, dancing. The owner was a gal who knew everyone, who drank while she worked, and laughed the entire time. Awesome.